8 Mistakes You Need To Avoid When Your Power Goes Out

Whether it be an intensive snowfall, terrible thunderstorm, or a tipped over power line, there's a surefire chance that you'll lose your electricity.

Since this inconvenience could last anywhere between a couple of minutes to a few days, it's crucial to know what you should and shouldn't do to protect yourself and your family should this situation arise.

3. Don't let your pipes get too cold

If you don't keep an eye on your pipes during the winter season, there's a strong possibility that they can burst with water when they become frozen during a power outage.

If you don't have insulated pipes, there are still ways you can prevent this from occurring, such as wrapping the tubes with foam, old blankets, or towels. It's also recommended to always keep a small stream of water running to mitigate the risk of freezing.

4. Don't open the refrigerator

Even if you're starving, it's important to keep your refrigerator closed at all times. When you open its doors, you'll be letting the cold air out, which will cause your food to be enclosed in a higher temperature.

If you leave your fridge doors shut, your food can last for at least four hours without electricity. If you think your power will be out for an extended period of time, try wrapping it in a large blanket for some extra protection against the heat.

7. Don't use up your cell phone's battery

When the power goes out, most people will turn to their cell phone for entertainment, even though it's necessary to save a good portion of its battery life.

Since you don't know how long the blackout will last, it's important that you don't waste your battery on inessential apps.

"Save your phone until you need it," says Ed Lounsbury, a licensed electrician with T. Webber Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric. "If the power goes out for a few days you might need it for emergency services."

When a power outage occurs, put your phone on airplane mode, turn off any apps you're not using, and see if you have can grab the opportunity to charge it in your car.

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